Pakistan - part 4

If you go to just one place in Pakistan, go to Lahore. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Asia, and the cultural capital of the country.

House in the Old City.

Old mosque, Lahore.

Kalam Village, Swat Valley.

Narrow streets of the Old City have dozens of bazaars and tiny mosques. The area further south has beautiful buildings in Anglo- Indian style.

Old City, Lahore.

Lahore at night.

The Lahore Museum.

The best of them is the famous Lahore Museum, by far the most interesting in Pakistan. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed there. In front of it stands Zamzama, a giant 15th century cannon.

Zamzama.

Badshani Mosque.

Badshani Mosque.

But what makes Lahore so special is its wonderful Moghul architecture, especially Badshani Mosque - one of the most beautiful in the world. It was built in 1674 by Emperor Aurangzeb. It is a nice place to spend some time in - you can relax in the shade, talk with visitors, or watch local artists restore ancient walls and ceilings.

Black Kites (Milvus migrans), Lahore.

Ceilings, Badshani Mosque.

Badshani Mosque.

Badshani was the largest mosque at the time it was built. It takes at least an hour to explore it all, including a small history museum hidden near the entrance.

Badshani Mosque.

Badshani Mosque.

Carved door, Badshani Mosque.

The entrance to the Mosque is especially interesting. It was built in 1700, and is said to have taken more than fifty years to fully decorate. Its colors look best in early morning.

Entrance building, Badshani Mosque.

Entrance to Badshani Mosque.

Mausoleum of Mohammed Iqbal.

Entrance to Badshani Mosque.

Nearby are an old Sikh temple and the tomb of M. Iqbal, who first came up with the idea of separating Pakistan from India.

Sikh temple, Lahore.

View of the Sikh temple from the Fort.

Inside the Lahore Fort.

Fort walls, Lahore.

Facing the Mosque is Shahi Qila, the impressive Lahore Fort. It was founded in the 10th century, but mostly built by Emperor Akbar in 1566.

View of the Fort from Badshani Mosque.

Golden Mosque.

Detail, Golden Mosque, Lahore.

Also interesting is Suhonri Masjid, the Golden Mosque, built in 1753. It's located in a bisy street in the Old City.

Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort.

Poets and qawwali singers, Lahore.

Qawwali group, Lahore.

Lahore is the best place to see qawwali (Islamic devotional singing) artists.

Micro-organ, a traditional instrument of qawwali performers.

Sufi dancer, Lahore.

Traditional orchestra, Lahore.

Sufi dancers can be seen in local shrines. They whirl in trance, sometimes for hours.

Sufi dancer, Lahore.

Learning to relax is important for traveling in Asia.

Part 5: Western Pakistan
Back to Part 3

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